The fact that the 99 cents can be spent almost anywhere on the planet is where the change has occurred.

What was your size of your record collection in the 1960s or 1970s?

The world has flattened and there are many more people today selling 99 cent songs than in the 1960s. Sorry Vince Gill that you can't get as rich now as before; the wealth is spreading out to more people through the availability of both legal and illegal distribution.

I think the last line in his quote is the one farthest off-base. The economic model today encourages way more creativity than in the past. Long Tail economics are at play and the only folks really 'suffering' are those that were able to capitalize on a narrowly controlled distribution channel system of the past.

Vince, you can still be an artist - you just won't get paid as much for it. Welcome to the club....